title: Association between physical activity in early pregnancy and markers of placental growth and function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been suggested that physical activity (PA) can influence the development of the placenta and the risk of placenta-mediated complications of pregnancy. We evaluated the association between PA and early markers of placental development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four nulliparous women were invited to participate in a prospective observational cohort study. Assessment included measurement of placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) concentrations (expressed in multiples of the median), an ultrasound at 11 to 13 weeks for measurement of placental volume and the mean uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index, and a questionnaire on PA. The association between PA and these markers was evaluated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significantly lower concentration of PlGF and a trend towards lower placenta volume and lower PAPP-A concentration with increased PA frequency. The negative association between PA frequency and PlGF concentration remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that PA in early pregnancy could negatively affect placental development. This finding could explain the association between PA and severe preeclampsia. This finding deserves confirmation in a larger cohort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec QC; Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferland
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université Laval, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bujold
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC; Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Giguère
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université Laval, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC; Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec QC.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Forest
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A
keywords: Doppler; biomarkers; exercise; physical activity; placenta; pregnancy; ultrasound